Balistes polylepis Steindachner, 1876
Finescale triggerfish
photo by Malaer, P.

Family:  Balistidae (Triggerfishes)
Max. size:  76 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 3 - 60 m
Distribution:  Eastern Pacific from northern California to Chile and Hawaiian Islands; including the Galapagos Islands.
Diagnosis:  Body compressed and deep; skin thick, with large, rectilinear, plate-like scales that are easily visible to the naked eye; mouth small; teeth strong and protruding, 8 in each jaw; dorsal fin with 3 spines and 26 to 28 rays; scales behind the gill openings larger than the neighboring scales; snout surrounded by scales (Ref. 55763).
Biology:  Occurs in rocky reefs, boulder strewn slopes and adjacent areas of sand. Adults demersal; young pelagic (Ref. 2850). Feeds on sea urchins, small crustaceans and mollusks (Ref. 5227). Minimum depth 3m (Ref. 116844).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 May 2008 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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